A
music conductor is a person who directs ensembles and/or a group of singers or choir/chorus,
communicating to the performers by movement of his/her hands or a baton to
unifying the efforts of a number of musicians simultaneously engaged in musical
performance. He/she establishes a clear, uniform tempo, and keep it throughout
the performance. He/she also helps the musical quality of the piece
(expression, dynamics, cues).

It
worth noting that the primary duties of the conductor are to interpret the
score created by a composer in a manner which is reflective of those specific
indications within that score, set the tempo, ensure correct entries by various
members of the ensemble, and to "shape" the phrasing where
appropriate. Thus conducting is more than waving your arms in front of the
choir (group of singer) or ensemble.

To
convey their ideas and interpretation, a conductor communicates with their
musicians primarily through hand gestures, typically though not invariably with
the aid of a baton, and may use other gestures or signals, such as eye contact
with relevant performers. A conductor's directions will almost invariably be
supplemented or reinforced by verbal instructions or suggestions to their
musicians in rehearsal prior to a performance.

Every
conductor breathes new life into each piece with their own interpretations.
Small movements of either hand could inform the musicians or the audience about
the intensity and persistence of a single note. Conductors have their own
refined sense of each work, which they express through the complex language of
gestures. However, there are many different conducting styles. While there are
some common gestures that you will see from the majority of conductors, most
great conductors have their own unique style. The musical characteristic and
suitable conducting technique presented below are very basic styles, suitable
for beginning conductors.

Loud (forte or f)

Use
a large beat pattern, holding arms away from the body. Hold the left palm up,
or let the left arm mirror the beat pattern for emphasis.

Soft (piano or p)

Use
a small beat pattern, with arms close to the body. Hold left palm down.

Fast (allegro)

Use
a quick beat pattern, with sharp motions and crisp bounces on the beats.

Use
an animated, angular beat pattern, with sharp bounces on the beat.

Part of the choir sustains a note while the other part sings other notes

Hold your left hand, palm up, in the direction of the group that is sustaining. Continue the beat pattern with your right hand.

*One vocal line is more important than the others

Use
the left hand to signal palm up to the important vocal group, palm down to the
other groups.

One part of the choir sings while the other is silent

Face
the group that is to sing.

Part of the choir cuts off while the other part
continues to sing

Before
the cutoff, look at the group that is to cut off. Give the cutoff signal with
the left hand (the right hand continues the beat pattern), and then face the
group that is to continue singing.

Unison vs. Harmony

If
the choir has been singing in unison and it’s time to switch to 3-part harmony,
hold out three fingers on your hands, with the fingers pointing toward the
choir, and extend your hands out to the sides a little bit.

First
look at the singers who are to begin singing; then do a preparatory beat with
your left hand and bring them in. Mirror the beat pattern with your left hand
for a measure or more.

The
conductor’s fundamental goal is to bring a written score to life, through
study, personality and musical formation. But he or she makes music’s meaning
clear through body motion.

However,
remembered that the art of conducting is more than just semaphore. It is a
two-step between body and soul, between physical gesture and musical
personality. The greatest technician can produce flabby performances. The most
inscrutable stick waver can produce transcendence.

Follow Us

RSS Subscribe Here

Blog Archive

Follow by Email

Cloud Labels

Contact Us

Name

Email
*

Message
*

About Us

Phamox music is a music blog brand that provides information about classical music, hymns, African art music, art musician and hymnal. The main purpose of creating this blog is to provide useful and comprehensive information that worthy to be used as reference across the globe.